I would argue that, of the first four Silent Hill entries, Silent Hill 4 is the most unique in how it chooses to play with the series' formula. Despite a few hiccups throughout the game, such as the second half's return to the building world & apartment world, it creates such a fascinatingly haunting atmosphere as you continue to play. It was the first in the series to *truly* unnerve me with its sound mixing & eerie cutscenes (many of which are very reminiscent of Kiyoshi Kurosawa's "Pulse"), & for that, it earned such a special place in my heart.
